An application by the Attorney General to quash the original Hillsborough inquest verdicts is due to be heard at the High Court next Wednesday.

The application was made by Attorney General Dominic Grieve on Monday after an independent report into the Hillsborough disaster exonerated Liverpool supporters of any blame for the deaths of 96 fans at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

A spokesman for the Judicial Office said on Wednesday: "The Attorney General's application to quash the Hillsborough inquest verdicts has been listed for a substantive hearing before the Divisional Court on Wednesday, December 19, subject to any applications by interested parties to adjourn.

"The Lord Chief Justice, sitting with two other judges, will hear the application."

The Hillsborough Independent Panel's report, published in September, revealed that 41 of the supporters who died had the potential to survive beyond that cut-off point. Campaign groups have long maintained that the original inquest verdicts prevented a proper investigation into the tragedy.